Bicycle-track.



No. 738,174. PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1903.

R. H. BRWINI. BICYCLE TRACK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHBETSSHEET 2.

l as,

No. 738,174. PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1903. R. H. ERWIN.

BICYCLE TRACK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1903.

NO MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

U, a M

W attow M36 i1 NITED STATES Patented September 8, 1903.

ROBERT H. ERVVlN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

BlCYCLE-TRACK SEECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 738,174, dated September 8, 1903.

Application filed May 29, 1903. Serial. No. 15 9,260- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern..-

'Be it known that I, ROBERT H. ERWIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Bicycle-Track; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to bicycle-tracks, and has for its object to provide a mechanical device of this class wherein the rider makes a complete vertical loop or loops, illustrating the powerof centrifugal force overcoming the laws of gravitation upon objects moving at a high rate of speed.

\Vith this object in view my invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of my verticallyrevolving circular track.

My invention also consists in the novel means of connecting said track to the horizontal bowl-track.

My invention also consists in the novel means of operating the braking mechanism.

Myinvention also consists in the novel arrangement of my vertically-revolving circular track in combination with a vertically-located stationary circular rim.

Myinvention also consists in certain other novel features of construction and in combination of parts, which will be first fully described and afterward specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention in an operative position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the vertical track with horizontal bowl-track removed. Fig. 3 is an edge view of vertical track. Fig. 4 is a plan of framework supporting vertical track. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section through vertical track, taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is end elevation of vertical support for vertical track, showing braking mechanism and platform lowered. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail of platform raised, showing connections.

8 is a plan of horizontal bowl-track, platform, and lower section of vertical track. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective of brakes, showing same applied to vertical track.

Like numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout the several figures, in which- 1 indicates my device as a whole, which consists of a horizontal bowl-track 2, suitably supported and constructed, preferably, of a series of slats 3, secured to loops 4. As shown, the angle of the slats 3 of said bowl is substantially about seventy degrees; but it is of course understood that the angle of incline of said bowl is dependent upon its diameter, a larger bowl not having as great a slant as a smaller one. It will be noticed by referring to Fig. 1 that a portion 5 of said bowl is higher than the bowl proper and that there is a sharp break in the incline of said higher portion at 6, the incline of said higher or extended portion becoming gradually greater until it coincides with the incline of the bowl proper. Rigidly secured alongside of said bowl in the position shown in Fig. 1 is the vertical track 7, which is composed of the inside revolving section 8 and the outside stationary rim 9. The inside revolving section is composed of two annular angle-iron rims 10, to which are suitably secured the slats 11, and the outside stationary rim is composed of two annular angle-iron rims 12, suitably braced together at intervals by stringers 13. The ends of said circular angle-iron rims 12, forming the outside rim, are suitably bolted together at 14. Centrally located on the outside of said revolving section is an annular track 15, to which the slats 11 of the re volving section are secured, and located on either side of said track in pairs are guidewheels 16, secured to the stringers 13.

Suitably braced to the bottom of the outside stationary rim 9 by braces 17 are friction-rollers 18, having a grooved periphery, upon which rollers the annular track 15 rests, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

19 indicates the two vertical supports located at both sides of the vertically-revolving track, said supports being rigidly bolted to the outside stationary rim at 20, so as to support the said stationary rim and securely hold the same in vertical position, while in order to insure against any swing of said Vertical track I brace the bottom of the outside sta- 21 by means of braces 22.

Suitably pivoted to the framework at 23 is a platform 24, which is adapted to be swung down upon the vertically-revolving track, as shown in Fig. 8, and which is capable of being swung up out of position, as shown in Fig.7, the connections and operation of which will be now described.

Secured to the upright supporting-framework 19 at either side is a bracket 25, within which is journaled a rocking rod 26. Keyed to said rod at 27 is a lever 28, and also keyed to said rod at 29 is a crank-arm 30.

31 indicates a diamond-shaped wedge slidingly secured at 32 to the upright framework, and pivoted above said wedge at 33 are two clutch-levers 34 and 35. The upper ends of said clutch-levers are L-shaped, as shown at 36, and the entire upper end of clutch-lever 35 is formed at right angles to the L, as shown in Fig. 9.

It will be seen that this particular construction enables the clutch-levers to straddle the upright to which they are pivoted and act directly upon the annular angle-iron frame of the revolving track. This mechanism is duplicated on both sides of the revolving track, it of course being only necessary to describe the one side.

To pass now to the platform 24, keyed on the rocking rod 26 is a crank-arm 37, which is pivoted to a link 38, which link is pivoted to the bottom or frame of the platform at a point 39 in front of the pivotal point 40 of i said platform.

Consequently when the lever 28 is raised the rod 26 is rocked, which moves the crank-arm 37 and link 38 and swings the platform up into the position shown in Fig. 7.

Having now fully set forth the construc tion of my invention, its operation is as follows:

The rider is placed upon the vertically-revolving track and begins to pedal. This will cause the revolving track to revolve upon the friction-wheels 18, which track can be made to revolve in this manner at a high rate of speed. As soon as sufficient speed has been attained the lever 28 is suddenly forcibly depressed, which throws the wedge 31 between the lower arms of the clutch levers 34 and 35, spreading the same and causing the upper ends thereof to forcibly come in contact with the annular angle-iron rim of the stationary vertical section of the revolving track and the annular angle-iron rim of the verticallyrevolving track and instantly stopping the vertically-revolving section. The rider instantly attains the velocity of the revolving track, which is sufficient to carry him around the inside of the now stationary track against the force of gravitation. At the same time the brakes are applied by depressing the lever 28 the rod 26 is rocked, which by reason of the crank 37 and link 38 throws the platform 24 down on the bed of the revolving track and forms a connection between said track and the stationary bowl 2, so that the rider when reaching said platform after having made the revolution can run off into the stationary bowl and can there gradually decrease his speed until he comes to a full stop.

Having thus described myinvention, I wish it distinctly understood that I have described and illustrated one simple construction, and itis evident many changes can he made therein which would fall within the limit and scope of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and I consider myself clearly entitled to all such changes and modifications.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- 1. The combination of a stationary-bowl cycle-track and a vertically-revolving cycletrack associated therewith.

2. The combination of a stationary-bowl cycle-track,a vertically-revolving cycle-track, and a vertical stationary outer rim therefor.

3. The combination of a stationary-bowl cycle-track of a vertically-revolving cycletrack, and means for throwing said tracks into and out of communication.

4. The combination of a stationary-bowl cycle-track, of a vertically-revolving cycletrack, and brakes adapted to be applied to said revolving track to stop the motion thereof.

5. The combination of a stationary-bowl cycle-track of a vertically-revolving cycle tracks.

7. A cycle-track consisting of a verticallyrevolving track-section and a vertical stationary outside supporting-section and an independent stationary track.

8. A cycle-track consisting of a verticallyrevolving track-section, and means for supporting the same and an independent stationary track.

9. Astationary-bowlcycle-track,andanindependent cycle-track associated therewith and means for throwing said tracks into and out of communication.

10. A vertically-revolving cycle-track, a rim surrounding the same, means mounted on said rim for guiding the track, substantially as described.

11. A vertically-revolving cycle-track, and a stationary rim therefor, substantially as described.

12. A revolving cycle-track and a stationary rim therefor, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBT. H. ERVVIN.

Witnesses:

GEO. R. AGATE, F. E. DAVIES. 

